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Utah County, Utah facts for kids

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Utah County
U.S. county
Historic Utah County Courthouse
Historic Utah County Courthouse
Map of Utah highlighting Utah County
Location within the U.S. state of Utah
Map of the United States highlighting Utah
Utah's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Utah
Founded January 31, 1850 (created)
April 18, 1852 (organized)
Named for Ute Tribe
Seat Provo
Largest city Provo
Area
 • Total 2,144 sq mi (5,550 km2)
 • Land 2,003 sq mi (5,190 km2)
 • Water 141 sq mi (370 km2)  6.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 659,399
 • Density 307.56/sq mi (118.748/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional districts 3rd, 4th

Utah County is the second-most populous county in the U.S. state of Utah. The county seat and largest city is Provo, which is the state's third-largest city, and the largest outside of Salt Lake County. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665.

Utah County is one of two counties forming the Provo-Orem metropolitan statistical area, and is part of the larger Salt Lake City-Provo-Orem, UT Combined Statistical Area. In 2010, the center of population of Utah was in Utah County, in the city of Saratoga Springs.

Utah County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, ranking among the top ten counties in numerical growth. Correspondingly, Provo-Orem is among the top eight metropolitan areas by percentage growth in the country. Utah County is projected to become the most populous county in the state of Utah by 2060.

Utah County is one of seven counties in the United States to have the same name as its state. The other six counties are Arkansas County, Hawaii County, Idaho County, Iowa County, Oklahoma County and New York County (commonly known as Manhattan).

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,144 square miles (5,550 km2), of which 2,003 square miles (5,190 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (6.6%) is water.

Utah Valley lies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of the Wasatch Range on the east. Utah Lake occupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 feet (1,368 m) above sea level at the lake to 11,928 feet (3,636 m) at the peak of Mount Nebo.

Adjacent counties

Baled hay in Utah Valley
A partial view of Utah Valley seen here from outside of Salem

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1850 2,026 —
1860 8,248 307.1%
1870 12,203 48.0%
1880 17,973 47.3%
1890 23,768 32.2%
1900 32,456 36.6%
1910 37,942 16.9%
1920 40,792 7.5%
1930 49,021 20.2%
1940 57,382 17.1%
1950 81,912 42.7%
1960 106,991 30.6%
1970 137,776 28.8%
1980 218,106 58.3%
1990 263,590 20.9%
2000 368,540 39.8%
2010 516,564 40.2%
2020 659,399 27.7%
US Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2019 2020
Utah County racial composition
Race 2020 2010 2000 1990 1950 1900
White 90.2% 91.9% 95.7% 96.4% 99.6% 99.9%
 —Non-Hispanic 81.6% 89.4% 87.7% 94.8% n/a n/a
Black or African American 1.4% 0.9% 0.4% 0.1% 0.02% 0.02%
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) 13.4% 10.8% 8.4% 3.0% n/a n/a
Asian 3.2% 2.3% 1.2% 1.0% n/a n/a
Hawaiian & Pacific Islander 2.1% 1.4% 0.6% 0.5% n/a n/a
Native American 2.0% 1.0% 0.6% 0.7% n/a 0.01%

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 659,399 people and 171,899 households in the county. The population density was 329.12/sqmi (127.02/km2). There were 192,570 housing units, at an average density of 96.12/sqmi (37.1/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88.

The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males.

At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over.

The five most reported ancestries in Utah County are:

Religion

Religion in Utah County as of 2014
Religion Percent
Latter-day Saints
  
 88.1%
None
  
 10.1%
Other faiths
  
 1.8%

Communities

Phone 006
Utah Valley, Utah County as seen from Traverse Ridge in Lehi
Mt. Timpanogos (2007)
Mount Timpanogos in the Wasatch Range is visible from much of Utah County.

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts

  • Alpine School District
  • Provo School District
  • Nebo School District.

Universities

  • Brigham Young University (private)
  • Utah Valley University (Utah State owned)
  • Mountainland Technical College (Utah State owned)

Infrastructure

The I-15 CORE project added multiple lanes on Interstate 15 through most of Utah County. This expanded 24 miles (39 km) of freeway and was completed in 2012. Other construction projects by UDOT have been done on I-15 since then, including the Technology Corridor project and the Point of the Mountain project.

Images for kids

  • Utah Valley seen from Traverse Ridge

    Utah Valley, Utah County as seen from Traverse Ridge in Lehi

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